We are an active group of volunteers who support our community through blood, sweat, and year-round book sales.
VOLUNTEERS and DONATIONS of books, money, and time are always welcome! Call 703-829-5467.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

ARE YOU
WONDERING whether “real” books will soon be relics?
…that we will be relegated to squinting at tiny electronic devices,
unable to read without electric help? …that future libraries will
provide only computers?

The Pew Research
Center’s recent Internet & American Life Project tells us that
while “many library patrons are eager to see libraries’ digital
services expand, [they] also feel that print books remain important
in the digital age.”

Libraries are
grappling with the need to provide digital services while meeting the
needs of patrons who may not be techno-savvy or may lack the means to
own the latest devices. As co-author of the Pew report Kathryn
Zickuhr noted, “While many patrons appreciate being able to access
new digital resources at libraries, they also say they value having
print books and other traditional resources at libraries and still
want a personal connection with library staff." Learn more at http://libraries.pewinternet.org.

In renovations and new
buildings, library design contains best forecasts of what will be
needed and wanted by library patrons. As Reston Regional moves
toward a new phase, NOW is the time for public input. Just as the
Friends need adequate space for sorting and accumulating materials
for sales (continuing financial aid to the library!), so public
meeting space, the balance of digital and printed matter, and
learning aids all are factors. What should your library provide?
Let us know your thoughts!

PERHAPS
YOU SAW the Washington Post story in December, on the Nov.
26 passing of Jacques Morgan, outspoken contrarian owner of Idle Time
Books in Adams Morgan. He was a regular at our book sales,
distinctive with his long ponytail and thick mustache. The Friends
offer condolences to his wife Val. The Post quotes her as saying,
“He did everything he wanted in life. He never went for a job
interview. He never had to get dressed up for work. That’s a
lucky man.”

NEW
OFFERINGS at the Fairfax County Public Library include Dan
Brown’s latest, Inferno: A Novel; Gillian Flynn’s Gone
Girl and Ayana Mathis’ The Twelve Tribes of Hattie (both
in Large Print); and a new edition of Paul Tillich’s The Courage
to Be.

A BEST
OF RESTON award goes to Friends of the Reston Regional
Library for 2013! Thanks to the many volunteers over the years who
made it possible for us to be recognized in this year’s Civic group
category. Reston Interfaith sponsors a gala on April 11 to present
the awards to groups and individuals.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

We’ve
turned a new calendar page to 2013, but we need to note a
few milestones from the 2012 season that just came to an end—

The
Friends Puzzle and Game Sale Nov 1-5 brought in just over
$1,330, an increase of almost $300 over results from 2011.

Friends
Holiday Sale Dec 6-9 totaled over $7,900, nearly $2,800
more than in 2011! Congratulations and thanks to our volunteers and
attendees at both events.

Many
thanks for down to earth hands-on efforts from the Reston
Garden Club. Their members turned Friends funding into
beautification of the Reston Regional Library site, with professional
assistance from Hidden Lane Landscaping. Look for this project to
frame our street sign and enhance curb appeal, especially when shoots
and buds burst in the spring!

We are
gratified by the November passage of the library bond, and
look forward to the planning phase for Reston Regional Library
facilities. We seek your thoughts and suggestions during this
process. Let us know what you want! We will tell Supervisor Cathy
Hudgins what’s important to you in planning this new facility.

And for
those of you who love end of year lists,
here’s a gift from Mary Mulrenan of the Fairfax County
Public Library--

Most
Popular Books in Fairfax County in 2012

Wondering
what were the most popular books in Fairfax County this year? Here
are the top five based on the top 100 checkouts from Fairfax County
Public Library in adult, teen and children. The Hunger Games Trilogy
leads with a combined 10,330 checkouts on all three titles. Dr. Seuss
has staying power with 9,822 checkouts and John Grisham’s The
Litigators has 4,868 making it the most popular title in the
system.

Adult

Top
Five Fiction

The
Litigators by John Grisham

V
is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton

The
Drop by Michael Connelly

Zero
Day by David Baldacci

Explosive
Eighteen by Janet Evanovich

Top
Five Nonfiction

Unbroken:
a World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by
Laura Hillenbrand

In
the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in
Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson

Bossypants
by Tina Fey

Steve
Jobs by Walter Isaacson

The
Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Top
Five eBooks

The
Litigators by John Grisham

The
Help by Kathryn Stockett

Explosive
Eighteen by Janet Evanovich

A
Game of Thrones by George Martin

The
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

Teen

Top
Five Titles

The
Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Divergent
by Veronica Roth

The
Giver by Lois Lowry

Thirteen
Reasons Why by Jay Asher

The
Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Top Five Series

Hunger
Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Harry
Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Inheritance
series by Christopher Paolini

Twilight
series by Stephanie Meyer

Uglies
trilogy by Scott Westerfeld

Children

Top
Five Series

Diary
of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney

Magic
Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

Harry
Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Heroes
of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

Fly
Guy early readers by Tedd Arnold

Top
Five Titles

The
cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

One
Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss

The
Invention of Hugo Cabret: a Novel in Words and Pictures by Brian
Selznick

Green
Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Hop
on Pop by Dr. Seuss

And
now that you’ve had
your book brain cells stirred, what did YOU read in 2012 that you
would recommend? Respond by leaving a comment! Reston Friends wish
a very Happy New Year to readers everywhere! So many books, so
little time!